Addis Ababa, 16 July 2012
Today marked the concluding day of the 19th Session of the Afrcan Union Assembly held under the theme “Boosting African Trade.”Ending the deadlock that had prevented the election of the chairman, Madam Dlamini Zuma was elected as the new chairman of the African Union replacing Jean Ping. The day ended with members of the African Union discussing a trade road map and renewing the commitment to accelerate the implementation of intra-African trade that was made during a meeting of Trade Ministers from African nations held in Kigali in 2010.
During this last day, President Kagame held side meetings with various leaders. The newly elected President Morsi of Egypt paid a courtesy visit to President Kagame where he commended Rwanda for its exemplary religious tolerance. He invited President Kagame to Egypt and thanked Rwanda for its continuous efforts to foster mutually beneficial cooperation among Nile Basin countries.
President Kagame also met with Professor Jeffrey Sachs- Special Adviser to Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Millenium Development Goals and with Ian Eliasson- United Nations Deputy Secretary General who during his address at the African Union Opening Session committed to being not only an advocate for Africa but a partner in the kind of action that result in Africa’s ability to shape its future.